To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 13 August 2013.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 August 2013 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

Councillor Jones declared a personal interest in Agenda item 10 ‘Central Bedfordshire Next Generation Network’ as his son worked in the telecommunication industry.  Cllr Jones was present during the item but did not take part in any discussion or vote.

To receive any matters of communication from the Chairman.

The Vice-Chairman advised Members that item 9 ‘Green Waste Disposal Contracts’ had been withdrawn.

The Audit Committee had signed off the 2012/13 Statement of Accounts on 23 September 2013.  The annual accounts would be published with the audit opinion and certificate before 30 September.

The essential road resurfacing works at Poynters Road, Dunstable had been completed successfully and the road reopened on 23 September 2013.

To consider petitions received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

No petitions were received.

To respond to general questions and statements from members of the public in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Appendix A of Part A4 of the Constitution.

The following statement was received in accordance with the Public Participation Scheme. 

1.      Mr Allen

Mr Allen referred to the Traffic Management meeting that took place on 27 March 2012 to consider letters submitted to the Council relating to 11 highway related matters in the Station Road/New Road Sandy area.  He was concerned that there should be a record of the increased number of letters submitted.

The Monitoring Officer confirmed that he had been corresponding with Mr Allen regarding this issue and explained that there was not a requirement to produce minutes for the Traffic Management meeting, only a record of the decisions taken.  He acknowledged that the report submitted to the Traffic Management meeting had stated that 62 identical letters had been received.  At the meeting Officers then advised Members that the number of letters received had increased to 227.

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2014.

That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2014 be noted.

RESOLVED

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 October 2013 to 30 September 2014 be noted.

The report proposes to consider and support the recommendations from the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in paragraph 15 of this report, and adopt the Physical Activity Strategy.

1.      That the recommendation from the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, that the Council takes strong action to access money to support the delivery of the Strategy via Bedfordshire and Luton County Sports Partnership and the Health and Wellbeing Board, be supported.

2.      That the Physical Activity Strategy be adopted.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services that set out the proposed Physical Activity Strategy which, if approved would become Chapter 4 of the Leisure Strategy.   The Strategy sought to maximise the opportunities for residents to engage in regular physical activity partly for long term improvements in overall levels of health and wellbeing and reduce the demands on public services.

In the ensuing discussion, it was suggested that the Council should encourage and facilitate residents taking up gardening as part of the strategy.  The Deputy Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services explained that some town and parish councils were already looking for additional land to facilitate this activity.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to have a strategic approach to the provision of and opportunities for physical activity.

RESOLVED

1.      that the recommendation from the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, that the Council takes strong action to access money to support the delivery of the Strategy via Bedfordshire and Luton County Sports Partnership and the Health and Wellbeing Board, be supported; and

2.      that the Physical Activity Strategy be adopted.

This report seeks approval to retender green garden waste treatment and disposal services for household garden waste collected in Central Bedfordshire.

This item was withdrawn.

The report recommends the use of the Essex Next Generation Network (NGN) contract by Central Bedfordshire Council as the vehicle to procure a range of data network and telephony services in order to achieve MFTP savings and benefit from a set of non-financial business benefits.

That the award of the contract for the supply of Network and Telephony services to Central Bedfordshire Council through the Essex County Council NGN (Next Generation Network) contract be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Leader of the Council that proposed the use of the Essex Next Generation Network contract by the Council as the vehicle to procure a range of data network and telephony services, in order to achieve Medium Term Financial Plan savings and deliver other non-financial business benefits. 

The proposed contract comprised of a range of service offerings including, but not limited to, communication services, broadband, conferencing, contact centre services, wireless, video, mobile voice and data services, local area network and gateway services.  The Council did not have to sign-up for the full service list.

In response to questions, the Deputy Executive Member for Corporate Resources explained that the proposed contract was for a 10 year period, but there would be break points after year 4 (2016), year 6 (2018) and year 8 (2020).  The proposed contract covered physical infrastructure and not software.  The Council would have a place on the Strategic Management Board.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to enter into a long term and EU compliant contractual framework for the provision of data network and telephony services.  This catalogue of services would contribute to the delivery of the Medium Term Financial Plan and provide access to enabling technology to support business change projects requiring access to these facilities.

RESOLVED

that the award of the contract for the supply of Network and Telephony services to Central Bedfordshire Council through the Essex County Council NGN (Next Generation Network) contract be approved.

The report provides information on the projected outturn for 2013/14 as at Quarter 1.

1.      That the Revenue forecast position is noted as a projected overspend of £2.1M.

2.      That officers continue with their efforts to achieve a minimum balanced outturn or an underspend.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided information on the projected outturn for 2013/14 as at the end of June 2013.  The current 2013/14 forecast outturn was anticipated to be an estimated £2.1m overspend.  However, the budget included £2.1m of contingency costs which could potentially fully offset the forecast overspend. 

Reason for decision:  To facilitate effective financial management and planning.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Revenue forecast position is noted as a projected overspend of £2.1M;

2.      that officers continue with their efforts to achieve a minimum balanced outturn or an underspend.

The report provides information on the projected Capital outturn position as at June 2013. 

1.      To note that the projected outturn position is a gross underspend of £1.5m.

2.      To defer expenditure of £5.4m to 2014/15.

3.      To request officers to continue with their efforts to maximise the use of capital resources.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided information on the projected capital outturn position as at June 2013.  The capital budget for 2013/14 was £94.4m and the gross forecast was to spend £87.5m by the year end.

Reason for decision:  To complete schemes currently underway and facilitate effective financial management and planning.

RESOLVED

1.      to note that the projected outturn position is a gross underspend of £1.5m;

2.      to defer expenditure of £5.4m to 2014/15; and

3.      to request officers to continue with their efforts to maximise the use of capital resources.

The report provides information on the 2013/14 Housing Revenue Account revenue and capital position as at Quarter 1, June 2013.

1.      The Revenue forecast position of a balanced budget with a contribution to Housing Revenue Account Reserves of £6.661m be noted, thus strengthening the Council’s ability to invest and improve its stock of Council Houses.

2.      The Capital forecast position indicating expenditure will be £1.291m less than the budget, be noted.  This is due to lower than anticipated expenditure on the Dukeminster project.

3.      That Right to Buy sales will be monitored for the possible impact on predicted surpluses in the medium to longer term.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing and the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided information on the 2013/14 Housing Revenue Account revenue and capital position as at Quarter 1, June 2013.  The report projected a year end surplus of £6.661m compared to a budgeted surplus of £4.805m, an improvement of £1.856m.  It was predicted that £3.200m would be set aside for the Dukeminster Extra Care facility with the balance of £0.925m being rolled forward into 2014/15.

In response to a question, the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing confirmed that rent arrears were being monitored very carefully since the introduction of Welfare Reform.  The Council had set aside £200,000 from the Housing Revenue Account to help with supporting debt management.  If residents needed advice this could be sought from Housing Officers or the Citizens Advice Bureau. 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council’s financial position to be noted.

RESOLVED

1.      the Revenue forecast position of a balanced budget with a contribution to Housing Revenue Account Reserves of £6.661m be noted, thus strengthening the Council’s ability to invest and improve its stock of Council Houses;

2.      the Capital forecast position indicating that expenditure would be £1.291m less than the budget, be noted.  This was due to lower than anticipated expenditure on the Dukeminster project; and

3.      that Right to Buy sales would be monitored for the possible impact on predicted surpluses in the medium to longer term.

To consider the quarter 1 performance report.

1.      That the continuing overall strong performance in Quarter 1 for the indicators being used to help support monitoring of progress against the Medium Term Plan priorities be acknowledged.

2.      To recommend officers to further investigate and resolve underperforming indicators as appropriate.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the Quarter 1 2013/14 performance for Central Bedfordshire Council’s Medium Term Plan indicator set.

Executive Members highlighted key areas within the performance data and in response to a question the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing explained the position with the Decent Homes target.

Reason for decision:  To ensure a rigorous approach to performance management across Central Bedfordshire Council.

RESOLVED

1.      that the continuing overall strong performance in Quarter 1 for the indicators being used to help support monitoring of progress against the Medium Term Plan priorities be acknowledged; and

2.      to recommend officers to further investigate and resolve underperforming indicators as appropriate.

To receive the exempt Appendix A containing the financial details.

See minute no. E/13/47 for details.